TRISTAN

Lady Below, this was insanity, and I was dumb enough to go with the opportunity that had been given to me.

I shoved my hand in my pocket, quickly casting a sleeping spell over my handkerchief. It was quick and dirty, and it probably wouldn't last long. Damn everything, this was why we needed more people for a job like this!

He was quickly approaching me, heading deeper into the alley. I needed to act now. He was a lot taller than I thought. This wouldn't be easy. I bit my lip and clenched my fist.

"Sorry."

The glittering excitement of his aura turned to dim resignation. It should have clued me in, but I was already jittery from my own adrenaline and too preoccupied to press further.

"I understa—"

He grunted as I punched him sharply in the stomach, bringing him down low just as a sharp thwunk came from the wall where his head had been. I could only stare in shock at the crossbow bolt as I pressed my handkerchief over his mouth and nose.

I had just enough sense to pull the cloth away and drag him further down the alley. He stumbled along, the spell already having an effect on him. We ducked behind a large discarded table leaning against the wall, and I flinched away as a bolt planted soundly into the wood.

Leaving him behind the table would have been the smarter choice, but I couldn't let this chance go to waste.

I shook his shoulder, and he blinked sluggishly. "Hey. Hey! La'Bells, we need to move," I hissed. If we could reach the first corner, we would have cover from the overhanging rooftops.

Another bolt struck the wooden table. This one made it halfway through. I swallowed and eyed the bend in the alley. If we made a run for it right after the next shot, we might make it with minimal injury.

As long as the next bolt didn't kill one of us. Why would Reinier have such a horrible shot guarding his son? It was just proof that this man was a double. Mallou damn me, I should have looked up.

I pressed my hand against our makeshift shelter and pushed a bit of defensive magic into it, strengthening the wood.

The tip of the next bolt managed to get through the spell, and I pulled sharply on Vincent's wrist, leading him to the bend in the alley. Another sharp sound, and a shard of brick clipped my cheek as we darted around the corner.

I led him through the network of back streets and alleys, keeping an eye for any openings above us. I could hear vendors shouting in the main streets as we drew closer to the market square, but nothing from behind us. I allowed myself a short sigh of relief.

With the extra moment for rational thought, it made no sense that Reinier would have such an incompetent shot guarding his son. Either I was dragging along a fake Vincent, or I had just foiled an assassination attempt. Vincent first, and then Reinier when he came out?

I paused and looked back. Would it fix things if I just put him back where I found him? I'm sure I would feel bad at first, but it would be worth it to be rid of Reinier.

"Why did you agree?" Vincent asked in a slurred mumble. "What did Father offer you?"

I looked at him in confused annoyance. Poking past the resignation in his aura, bits of curiosity surfaced. There were no sickly green lies when he mentioned his father. "What?"

"To kill me."

Wait, he thought I was sent to kill him? He knew about it? His own father had orchestrated it?

Past the shock of the revelation, I could see the benefits to my impromptu rescue. We had leverage to hold him with minimal effort. People paid good money for protection. Like Monty said, we just needed to make the sentiment stick.

"You're much too soft to be involved in such a ruthless profession," he said, lightly patting my shoulder. The motion turned into petting, and he frowned at my coat. "You deserve finer fabric."

Bits of sadness and regret were laced through his aura. I let my talisman do its job properly and pulled my gaze inward. I hoped the two spells I performed earlier were enough to entertain my magic. Letting it roam free enough to pick out random auras was barely enough, and it had yet to move on from its cursory glance at Vincent. I could hardly blame it, the shards that danced around him were tragically beautiful.

And distracting.

As my magic reluctantly pulled away, the shards muddled together, appearing normal for a brief moment, then vanished from my sight entirely.

"Unfortunately, I'm dead, so I can't get you something better." He reached up and lightly fingered the collar of my coat. "See? There's fraying on the edges."

Well, sorry for not living up to your standards. Not everyone could afford beautifully embroidered suits that cost more than a horse and also happened to bring out their blue eyes. I still dressed nicely. My clothes were clean.

I barely managed to keep my defensive thoughts to myself.

If I had the strength to properly carry him, I would have finished the job of knocking him out. I needed to figure something else out. Something to get him moving on his own.

"Actually, I know this great tailor. He's a few blocks away, though. He might be willing to give you a discount since you're dead," I said, playing to his delusion.

His brows furrowed in confusion, and I forced a smile.

"Your smile's very … squinty."

I glared and pushed him into the wall. "Follow me or stay here and die for sure. Your choice." I turned and stalked off, only glancing back when I heard him stumbling after me. He slumped against the wall and slid down.

"I'm coming," he murmured, slowly blinking at the ground with unfocused eyes. 

As much as I wanted to leave him there to rot, I wouldn't be able to live with myself. Or live it down if the others found out I abandoned him just because he called my smile squinty.

I walked back and roughly brought his arm over my shoulder. As I took hold of his wrist, my hand landed on a thick bracelet made of leather and metal. Silence hummed against my fingertips. I adjusted my hold and turned his wrist to get a better look at the magic dampener. 

This poor man was sent to die helpless and alone, and I had been one step away from ditching him. I felt awful.

Our little kidnapping job had turned into a rescue mission. Was it coincidence, or had that been the intention? Who was our benefactor? Who actually wanted this guy?